The BC SPCA is pushing for charges of animal cruelty against eight employees of Chilliwack Cattle Sales after a video showing horrific abuse at a dairy farm in British Columbia.

A hidden-camera investigation by the advocacy group Mercy for Animals Canada, made public Monday, shows routine cruelty and torture of dairy cows at Chilliwack Cattle Sales, Canada’s largest dairy farm. In a graphic video published by the group, workers are seen kicking and punching the animals, as well as beating them with metal bars, chains and rakes. The cows are shown with bleeding and pus-filled sores, and injuries apparently sustained from the beatings.

“The images in the undercover video are extremely disturbing and highlight an urgent need for better standards to protect farm animals in B.C. from abuse and neglect,” Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer, said in a statement Monday.

Jeff Kooyman, who co-owns the farm, told CBC News his family was devastated by the allegations.

“The guys were going crazy. I couldn’t imagine how people could do that to animals,” said Kooyman.

He also said the eight employees caught on camera will be fired.

The dairy farm video is the latest in a series of investigations by Mercy for Animals Canada. The group has previously uncovered abuse at pig, turkey and chicken operations across Canada, each time leading to action from the producers, buyers or law enforcement.

In light of the latest video, the Vancouver Humane Society says the agriculture industry needs better oversight to prevent animal cruelty and calls for mandatory video surveillance of livestock operations.

“Individual acts of animal cruelty should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law but the industry must also be held to account for ensuring the humane treatment of animals,” VHS spokesperson Leanne McConnachie said after viewing the footage taken at the Chilliwack dairy farm.